[Review] JJAN! Brings a Fresh Take on Korean Drinking Culture to Craig Road with Contemporary Korean Plates

Korean food in Singapore is often associated with Korean barbecue, fried chicken, stews and the familiar pairing of soju and beer. However, newly opened Korean gastropub JJAN! at Craig Road is looking to offer something a little different, with a menu of contemporary Korean dishes designed to be enjoyed alongside an extensive selection of traditional Korean alcoholic beverages.

Officially opened on 12 November 2026, JJAN! takes inspiration from the Korean tradition of juansang (주안상), where food is served alongside alcoholic drinks as part of a shared dining experience. The restaurant offers more than 30 varieties of Korean traditional brews, including speciality makgeolli, yakju and cheongju, many of which are not commonly available in Singapore.

The kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Yoo Gwangsoo, whose previous experience includes working as Sous Chef at Singapore’s two-Michelin-starred Saint Pierre. He brings together Korean culinary traditions and refined cooking techniques, with familiar ingredients presented in more contemporary ways.

We visited JJAN! for a media tasting last Friday evening and were impressed by the presentation of the dishes. Almost everything arrived beautifully plated, with considerable attention given to the colours, textures and arrangement of ingredients. The menu is also designed around smaller portions and sharing, making it suitable for groups who enjoy ordering several dishes to try.

Our meal started with a welcome snack of prawn chips, offering a familiar savoury crunch to kick things off.

Among the small bites, the Squid Ganghoe (S$6 per piece) was an interesting interpretation of a traditional Korean appetiser.

Poached squid is wrapped around ingredients including bellflower roots and cucumber, accompanied by chogochujang, a Korean sweet, spicy and tangy chilli sauce. It offered a combination of textures and flavours, although we found some of the starters slightly on the salty side. This is, of course, a matter of personal preference, and the stronger seasoning would probably work well alongside the restaurant’s selection of alcoholic drinks.

The Pyogo Jeon (S$5 per piece) featured shiitake mushrooms filled with seabass and prawn.

The mushroom provides an rooted, savoury base, while the seafood filling adds another layer of flavour. It is a small but thoughtfully prepared bite that showcases the kitchen’s attention to technique.

Another starter was the Myeongnan & Potato (S$6 per piece), which combines salted pollack roe with Agria potato and creme fraiche.

The potato and cream is accented by the briny, savoury character of the roe. It is a larger snack that packs a whole lot of flavour into a single bite.

Moving on to the sharing plates, the Yukhoe (S$34) is one of the more distinctive dishes on the menu.

Made with Australian Wagyu skirt, octopus and jeotgal (fermented seafood), it is served with gim bugak, a crispy Korean seaweed snack. The combination brings together the meatiness of the beef, the savoury fermented seafood and the crisp texture of the seaweed. It is also a dish that encourages diners to assemble our own bites, making it a more interactive experience around the table.

The Busan Jijimi and Squid Salad (S$19) takes inspiration from Korean street food.

It features a mung bean pancake made with garlic chives, cabbage and leek, accompanied by a squid salad. Rather than eating the components separately, diners can combine the pancake and salad for a more complete mouthful. The pancake provides a satisfying texture while the squid salad adds freshness and a tangy kick.

For mains, we particularly enjoyed both dishes we tried.

The Beef Tongue (S$58) features Australian Wagyu tongue served with whelk ssamjang (Korean spicy dip), gosari muchim (blanched and seasoned fernbrake) and gingko nuts.

The beef tongue is cooked until tender before being finished over charcoal, giving it a smoky character. The accompanying ingredients bring different textures and flavours to the plate, while the ssamjang-based sauce ties everything together. It is a more substantial dish that showcases how Korean ingredients can be presented with a contemporary touch.

However, our personal favourite was the Pork Gukbap (S$21).

This comforting Korean pork soup features a broth simmered for 48 hours using pork bones, served with thinly sliced Jeju pork collar and jowl. It is accompanied by glutinous rice, mustard green kimchi and an assortment of condiments.

We liked how approachable and easy to enjoy this dish was, especially after the more intensely flavoured starters and sharing plates. The thinly sliced pork makes each mouthful pleasant, while the comforting broth provides a satisfying contrast to the other dishes.

What makes it even better is the flexibility to customise the flavours using the condiments provided. Diners can add salted shrimp, garlic chives and Korean chilli paste according to our preferences, adjusting the soup’s savouriness and spiciness along the way.

Dessert was a relatively simple but enjoyable affair. We had the Pomegranate Sorbet (S$2), which provided a refreshing, tart finish to the meal. Its fruity acidity helped cleanse the palate after the richer savoury dishes.

The Fruit Chapssaltteok (S$8 per piece) was another highlight, particularly for those who enjoy Korean desserts. These are Korean glutinous rice cakes, similar to mochi, filled with real fruit. We tried the fig, strawberry and grape flavours.

Each offered a different combination of fruity sweetness and chewy rice cake texture. They are also visually attractive, making them a nice way to round off the meal.

Beyond the food, one of JJAN!’s biggest attractions is its drinks offering. With more than 30 varieties of traditional Korean alcoholic beverages, the selection goes well beyond the usual soju and beer. Guests can explore different styles of makgeolli, yakju and cheongju, including speciality brews that are rarely seen in Singapore. Many are available by the glass, allowing diners to sample different varieties without having to commit to an entire bottle.

Overall, JJAN! offers an interesting alternative for those looking to explore Korean cuisine beyond the usual favourites. Its beautifully presented dishes, creative interpretations of traditional recipes and extensive Korean drinks selection give it a distinct identity. While we found some of the starters a little salty for our personal taste, the two mains were particularly enjoyable, with the Pork Gukbap standing out as a comforting dish worth returning for.

JJAN! is perhaps best enjoyed with a group of friends, ordering a variety of small bites and sharing plates while exploring the different Korean drinks available. If you enjoy Korean food and are curious about its traditional drinking culture, this new Craig Road establishment is worth checking out.

JJAN!

Address:
45 Craig Road, Singapore 089683

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 5pm to 12am
Saturday and Sunday: 1pm to 12am

Contact: [email protected]

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